Climate Action 2017-2018

COP23 & BEYOND
Our game plan is
this: To keep the global
climate negotiations on
track. To get everyone to
fully implement the Paris
Agreement and limit the
global temperature to 1.5°C
above that of the industrial
age. And to get there, we
will be reminding everyone
of a very simple fact. We
will only get there with
teamwork. Every nation
committing itself to climate
action in the way that Fiji
has. The citizens of the
world coming together as
one world – Team World –
and doing what we must do
to save our precious planet
from the ravages of climate
change.
Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister
of Fiji and President of COP23
The diplomacy and dialogue that led to
this Agreement was one of the great feats
of our age. But now it’s time to accelerate
the pace and raise the ambition, because
the evidence shows that we have no time
to waste. Now it’s time for the hard work
– to put words into action to bring Paris
to life; otherwise the Agreement is just a
piece of paper.
It is no mystery that there have
been significant shifts in the political
environment since Fiji first assumed the
role of the incoming Presidency last year.
While we were of course disappointed by
the decision of the Trump Administration,
it is clear that the overall global desire to
keep up the momentum and move forward
with even greater ambition is unshakeable.
In fact, we have been extremely
encouraged by our consultations over the
course of the year –with both parties and
non-state actors – and have received very
clear feedback on their desire for COP23
to be a visionary COP. By this I mean
a COP where outcomes are measured
against their capacity to achieve the
vision of the Paris Agreement: the vision
of limiting global warming to 1.5°C,
which is now the target for the world.
Fiji is committed to this goal and we are
determined to make progress at COP23
that is balanced and shows a resolve
Now it’s time to accelerate the
pace and raise the ambition, because
the evidence shows that we have no
time to waste.
that next year the negotiations are going
to result in a set of guidelines that make
Paris operational.
To achieve this, we will rely on the Fijian
concept of talanoa. This is a process of
inclusive, participatory and transparent
dialogue that builds empathy and leads
to decision-making for the collective
good. This concept is about listening to
each other, learning from each other, and
sharing stories, skills and experiences. We
hope that by focusing on the benefits of
action, we will be able to move the global
climate agenda forward.
As a symbol of our Presidency, we will
be placing a Fijian ocean-going canoe
– a drua – in the main foyer in Bonn. It
is a reminder to the entire world that we
are all in the same canoe when it comes
to climate change. No-one is immune
to its impact. And in the forthcoming
negotiations, we must fill the sail of that
canoe with a collective determination to
move the climate action agenda forward.
I appeal to every global citizen to join me
on this journey for the sake of all humanity
now and the generations to come.
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